Grace shutdown for 3 servers with 1 smart UPS

[denywinarto_apc]

Hi, I'm using a SUA2200 ups for a server running win 2012 R2.

And i have 2 other server running same OS with dumb UPS'.

All 3 are connected to a switch, which is also connected to the dumb UPS.

Now i need the sua2200 to gracefully shutdown all 3 servers in the event of blackout.

What is the most reliable way to do this?

If possible I'd like to keep the dumb UPS and have the smart UPS broadcast shutdown signal.

I tried some methods namely here 

http://forums.apc.com/spaces/5/smart-ups-symmetra-lx-rm/forums/general/5391/how-to-have-single-ups-s...

But my issue is that i tweaked around with the 2 other servers and i installed domain controllers on both of them, while the server with smart UPS does not have domain controllers feature installed.

thus it complicates things even more, on the part where i need users that have admin rights of all 3 servers.

Any other ideas? 

thanks

[BillP]

Hi,

I recommend installing a network management card in the SUA and then installing PowerChute Network Shutdown on each server. The PowerChute client will listen to the NMC and react as you have configured it to. See the PCNS Installation Guide and PCNS User's Guide. The UPS will accept the older AP9617, AP9618, or AP9619 and the newer AP9630 or AP9631 network cards. You should be able to find a AP9617 on line. 

Another option is to install APCUPSD on each server and set one up as NIS server and the others as NIS clients. The APCUPSD users manual discusses NIS configuration. 

[denywinarto_apc]

Thanks but are you sure the PNC can detect a machine that's not connected to APC UPS?

I was told by a local seller here that it only detects APC UPS...

regarding apcusbd, i was having some issues about network error i think

[BillP]

Hi,

You wrote "Now i need the sua2200 to gracefully shutdown all 3 servers in the event of blackout." so my recommendation of using PCNS will work. You will install PCCNS on all 3 servers and they will listen the the NMC in the SUA2200. The servers cannot listen to the dumb UPS because it is not on line.

You can do the same with APCUPSD with one system communicating with the SUA2200 and that server will then send information to the others using NIS.  

[denywinarto_apc]

Thanks Bill! Gonna grab AP9617 and i will update the result

[denywinarto_apc]

Ok just got AP9617 and installed it, but there's one issue, It doesnt come with any manuals.

And i saw on video we have to know the mac address in order to set it up.

ANy other way to do this then?

[denywinarto_apc]

Anyone ? i tried Device IP configuration but it wont detect it..

[BillP]

Hi,

I have attached the install guide. You should be able to connect to the NMC via serial cable. 

[denywinarto_apc]

Local access to the control console You can use a local computer, a computer that connects to the Management Card through the serial port at the Management Card’s UPS or expansion chassis, to access the Control Console.

1. Select a serial port at the local computer and disable any service that uses that port.

2. Unless an APC smart-signaling cable (940-0024 or 940- 1524) is already connected to the selected port, connect the smart-signaling cable that came with the Management Card to the selected port and to the serial port at the Management Card’s UPS or chassis.

3. Run a terminal program (such as HyperTerminal) and configure the selected port for 2400 bps, 8 data bits, no parity, 1 stop bit, and no flow control, and save the changes.

4. Press ENTER to display the User Name prompt.

5. Use apc for the User Name and Password. 6. See “Control console” on page 16 to finish the configuration

Edit : Found the mac address on the card,

The NMC is installed on UPS, and the UPS is connected to the PC, which is connected using APC 940-0024 cable

I followed a youtube video that sets the arp by assigning ip with same subnet

But i cant ping the assigned ip.. getting rto with Ping [IP] l-113

[denywinarto_apc · Accepted solution]

Strange, if i add arp-s from machine that is connected using serial cable, i'm getting arp addition failed, access denied,

From other machine that is within the same network, it didn't throw out any error.

But pinging gives me RTO